A cognitive bias wherein individuals infer a predictable pattern within sequences often deemed random, such as sports performance.
The hot hand fallacy illustrates our tendency to perceive patterns within randomness. In sport settings, like basketball for instance, if a player scored three times consecutively, the 'hot hand' fallacy would lead one to believe their fourth attempt is more likely to be successful. In reality, the likelihood remains the same for each independent event.
You've got to be careful not to fall into the traps of the mind - Michael Jordan
